Unusual nanoparticles could benefit the quest to build a quantum computer

Imagine little crystals that “flicker” like fireflies and can turn carbon dioxide, a key cause of climate change, into fuels.

A team led by Rutgers has created ultra-small titanium dioxide crystals that exhibit unusual “flicker” behavior and can help produce methane and other fuels, according to a study published in the journal. Angewandte Chemie. Crystals, also known as nanoparticles, remain charged for a long time and could benefit efforts to develop quantum computers.

“Our findings are quite important and intriguing in several ways, and more research is needed to understand how these exotic crystals work and to reach their potential,” said lead author Tewodros (Teddy) Asefa, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Rutgers-New Brunswick University School of Arts and Sciences. He is also a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering.

Annually, more than 10 million metric tons of titanium dioxide are produced, making it one of the most widely used materials, the study notes. It is used in sunscreens, paints, cosmetics and varnishes, for example. It is also used in the paper and pulp, plastic, fiber, rubber, food, glass and ceramic industries.

The team of scientists and engineers discovered a new way to make extremely small titanium dioxide crystals. While it is not yet clear why the designed crystals flicker and research is ongoing, “flicker” is believed to arise from individual electrons trapped in titanium dioxide nanoparticles. At room temperature, the electrons surprisingly remain trapped in nanoparticles for tens of seconds before escaping and then get trapped over and over again in a continuous cycle.

The crystals, which flicker when exposed to an electron beam, could be useful for environmental cleanings, sensors, electronic devices, and solar cells, and the research team will further explore their capabilities.